Gym\pool dilemma

Cancel tomorrow & you still should get 30 more days at the gym...maybe ride it out that way??
 

They would have no legal right to wipe out your account if they would happen to close?  They probably should however start asking the members to sign a new contract with them instead of the previous owners even though all those accounts would have been sold to the new place anyways I would think they would want their own rules and policy's out there. Not knowing how long the gym had their instructors I am sure there will be a transition period and their employment structure sounds like it is definitely different then the previous owners, they also may have their own group of instructors they have been dealing with for years and plan to bring in.  I would talk to the new director to see their reasoning and what their plans are before jumping the gun espeically since you have stated "you like the gym"

I work for a bank up here in Canada.  If a gym was to abuse the automatic debt service and take more than the historical amount, you would be able to call your bank and have them reverse the transaction.  I can't remember how many days you have recourse for but I think it is 3 to 7 days.   In Canada the body that sets the rules for this type of thing is the Canadian Payments Association.  You should ask your bank and inquire with what ever body regulates these types of things (if it exists in the USA) to see what protection you have.

 Edit:  I just noticed you are from Ontario so you are in good shape.  Keep an eye on you bank account online and you'll be OK.

mdraner could correct me...but in Ontario, you can call your bank and stop any automatic withdrawl immediately.  There is usually a few dollar service fee but they will block whomever from withdrawling money anymore. 

Also, you are entitled to get your money back on auto withdrawls within 30 or 60 days...the bank will refund it but always recommend you go to the merchant first, but if you couldn't resolve it with them, they would then proceed with the refund.....when I was in a similar situation, this is what my bank advised.  That was CIBC. I'm sure all the banks have similar or same policies though.

Good luck...maybe the change is for good?  You never know...

Depending on whether your contract states specifically that you'll pay via autopay, you could stop the payment and include your last month's dues in the form of a check with your cancellation notice.

Even if it does state you'll pay electronically, I doubt they would waste the effort of doing anything about it. They'd likely cash your check and move along as it sounds like they have plenty of issues to deal with.

If you like the gym, I'd ride it out. As others have mentioned, you have protections with your bank and credit card company. If the pool is still open and they offer what you want out of the gym, you didn't mention if you took any of the classes that are canceled, I'd just keep going and see what happens. Since they hung a new sign, I'd take that to mean they plan to stay open.